Fire Captain Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Teen Junior Firefighter
FAYETTE COUNTY (KDKA) – A fire captain is being charged after shooting a junior firefighter in Redstone Township Sunday afternoon.
Twenty-one-year-old Republic Fire Captain George Matis, Jr. was arrested on a charge of criminal homicide Sunday night in the fatal shooting 16-year-old Parker Hess, a junior firefighter, inside the Republic Volunteer Fire Department.
State police say it happened in the building's business office when Matis pulled a Glock pistol from his holster. One shot was fired, and the bullet struck the teen firefighter in the face.
A criminal complaint says the victim was "unconscious and unresponsive" when paramedics arrived at the fire company just after 4 p.m. He died from his injuries at the scene.
Lisa Washington's Report:
Hess' body was removed from the shooting scene around 11:30 p.m., and there was a procession of fire apparatus accompanying the ambulance as the body was removed.
Hess was a student in the Brownsville School District.
Brownsville School District Superintendent Philip Savini sent KDKA the following statement Sunday evening:
"The district sends its sympathy and support to the family. Counselors will be available to support students and staff upon their return to school on Tuesday."
Matis was sent to Fayette County Jail.
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